Sri Shiroor Matha, Udupi – Of Devotion and Philosophy

Shiroor Matha (or Shiroor Mutt) is an important pilgrimage site in south India for Hindus. This is one of the 8 mathas instituted Saint Madhvacharya, the founder of the Dvaita school of Hindu philosophy. These mathas are located in Udupi.

Shiroor Matha and The Ashta Mathas of Udupi

The ashta mathas were designed to promote Dvaita philosophy. They are named after the villages where they were originally situated. Thus, the Shiroor matha gets its names from Shiroor. Shiroor is 21km from Udupi. The 8 mathas were later moved to Udupi. The 8 mathas are paired in sets called Dwandvas. Shiroor is paired with Sodhe.

About Shiroor Matha

Shiroor matha is located beside the Shri Krishnapur Matha on the right of the Shri Krishna Temple in Udupi. The original swami of this matha was Shri Vamana Theertha. He was gifted a Vithala idol by the Acharya. This idol can be found in the temple and is worshipped till date. The idol features Vithala with Sri Devi and Bhudevi. The idol is named Varma Vithala. Till date, the matha has been headed by 30 Swamijis.

The Guru Parampara of the Matha

Sri Vamana Tirtha

Sri Lakshminarayana Tirtha

Sri Vasudeva Tirtha

Sri Vishvabhushana Tirtha

Sri Punyashloka Tirtha

Sri Trailokyapavana Tirtha

Sri Vedagamya Tirtha

Sri Lakshmikanta Tirtha

Sri Vedavyasa Tirtha

Sri Lakshminarayana Tirtha

Sri Vedavedya Tirtha

Sri Lakshmipathi Tirtha

Sri Mahesha Tirtha

Sri Lakshmidhara Tirtha

Sri Krishna Tirtha

Sri Lakshmiramana Tirtha

Sri Raghava Tirtha

Sri Lakshmimanohara Tirtha

Sri Suresha Tirtha

Sri Lakshmipriya Tirtha

Sri Vedabhushana Tirtha

Sri Lakshmivallabha Tirtha

Sri Srinivasa Tirtha

Sri Lakshmisamudra Tirtha

Sri Vedanidhi Tirtha

Sri Lakshmindra Tirtha

Sri Sridhara Tirtha

Lakshmimanojna tirtha (renounced the seat)

Sri Yadavittama Tirtha

Lakshmivara Tirtha

How to Reach The Matha

By Rail

Udupi is the closest railway station to the Matha. Buses and taxis are available from the station to the matha.

By Air

As a distance of 58km, Mangalore is the closest airport to Shiroor Matha. Regular flights connect Mangalore with other metro cities across India. Taxis connect the airport to the matha.

By Road

Udupi is well connected to other cities in Karnataka by road. KSRTC and private bus operators run regular buses between Udupi and other cities. Tourists may also hire private cabs from Mangalore or Bangalore.